Appendix G: Mission, Strategic Goals, and

Funding Initiatives in Other States

 

       

State

Mission or Vision Statement Supporting Economic Development

Goals/Objectives Supporting Economic Development

Transportation Economic Development Programs, Funding Initiatives or Investment Methodologies

Washington State Transportation

Commission

The purpose of Washington's transportation system is to provide safe, efficient, dependable, and environmentally responsible transportation facilities and services to:

· Promote a positive quality of life for Washington citizens

· Enhance the economic vitality of all areas of the state

· Protect the natural environment and improve the built environment

· Protect our investments by keeping transportation infrastructure in sound operation condition

· Operate transportation systems to work reliably and responsibly for the customer

· Improve safety through continuous reduction in societal costs of accidents

· Provide viable mobility choices for the customer and expand the system to accommodate growth

· Support the economy through reduced barriers to the movement of people, products, and information

· Meet environmental responsibilities

· Cooperate and coordinate with public and private transportation partners so that systems work together cost effectively

· Continuously improve the efficient and effective delivery of agency programs.

Targeting Transportation Funding

Economic development is defined as economic activities which result in development or retention of income generative industries (those industries which raise the per capita income of the state).

Washington State Department of Transportation project funding process shall support economic development through the following mechanisms:

1. On a routine basis, economic development related highway transportation projects can compete for general mobility funding under the priority programming process. Projects most likely to successfully compete for funding under this program would be those that have a significant congestion relief benefit, since delay savings are a large factor in selecting mobility projects. As an added boost, projects competing in the mobility program which have a local and/or private financial partners rise in relative priority over other general mobility projects through the formula.

2. Establish a small separate funding allocation under the economic initiatives subprogram to quickly respond to transportation needs of emergent economic development projects that may be outside of the routine project selection process This funding will be to match local and/or private contributions for transportation projects which meet the definition of economic development contained in this policy

3. Establish innovative financing methods to enable the state to respond in a timely manner to major or emergent economic development related transportation needs that require timely commitments.

Florida Department of Transportation

The department will provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods enhances economic prosperity and preserves the quality of our environment and communities.

Under the Mobility 2000 Initiative the state proposes to advance a number of highway projects over the next 10 years. These improvements are focused on three major areas:

· Expand Major Roadway Trade and Tourism Corridors

· Urban Congestion Relief

· Hurricane and Other Emergency Evacuation

 

· By speeding up the completion of nearly $4 billion worth of major transportation projects throughout the state, Florida's citizens will see easier daily commutes, visitors will reach their destinations quicker, businesses will better serve their customers through expanded trade routes, and coastal residents will have faster emergency evacuation.

Mobility 2000 Initiative (Senate Bill 862):

·Plan provides more than $2.5 billion of additional funds for transportation over a 10-year period without raising taxes.

Funding:

1. Restoring state funds to transportation

2. Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE bonds)

3. General Revenue "one-time" surplus funds

4. Increase in Federal Aid

The State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) provides $150 million in state funding.

1. (SIB) provides loans to help fund transportation projects that otherwise may be delayed or not built.

2. The loans will be repaid from revenues generated by the projects.

3. The repayments are then re-loaned to fund additional transportation projects.

Transportation Outreach Program (TOP):

1. Created by the legislature to fund transportation projects of a high priority based on the following principles:

a. Preserving the existing transportation infrastructure

b. Enhancing Florida's economic growth and competitiveness

c. Improving travel choices to ensure mobility

The Fast Track Transportation Initiative: within (TOP)

·Fast Track allows public transportation projects that have been not been funded or are under funded to receive priority consideration for accelerated funding in the first year of the work program.

· Uses an advisory team that selects projects based on specific criteria using a quantitative methodology to screen and score projects.

County Incentive Grant Program and Small County Program:

·FDOT will provide grants to counties to improve transportation facilities located on the state highway system or that relieve congestion on the state highway system.

·FDOT will assist small county governments in rehabilitating county roads or in constructing capacity or safety improvements.

Michigan Department of Transportation

Providing the highest quality transportation for economic benefit and improved quality of life.

Goal 7 - Provide transportation infrastructure and services that strengthen the economy and competitive position of Michigan and its regions for the 21st century. Objectives include:

· Provide a reliable all-season transportation network.

· Support tourism by providing transportation systems that facilitate travel, enhance recreation opportunities, protect natural amenities, and make the transportation system itself a tourist attraction.

· Focus any transportation investment for economic development on those projects that improve Michigan's competitiveness or retain or increase employment opportunities within the state.

· Improve Michigan's ability to compete in a global economy through more efficient connections and access to border crossings, inter modal facilities and improve linkage between modes.

· Promote development and application of new technologies as appropriate and cost-effective to address transportation issues.

Transportation Economic Development Fund:

· Created in 1987 to assist in the funding of highway, road and street projects necessary to support economic growth.

·The program mission is to enhance the ability of states to compete in an international economy, to serve as a catalyst for economic growth of the state, and to improve the quality of life in the state.

·The fund is administered through the Michigan State Transportation Commission's Office of Economic Development.

·There are several types of TEDF grants available:

1. Category A: projects are related to target industry development and redevelopment opportunities. Target industries include agriculture or food processing; tourism; forestry; high technology research; manufacturing; mining; or office centers of not less than 50,000 square feet.

2. Category B: was repealed in 1993. It funded conversion of local roads to state trunk lines.

3. Category C: overall goal is to promote increased economic potential and improve the quality of life by reducing urban traffic congestion levels. .

4. Category D: projects involve road improvements in rural counties to create an all season road network.

5. Category E: Construction of roads essential to the development of commercial forest in Michigan.

6. Category F: projects are for road and street improvements in cities and rural counties.

During its first 10 years of operation, the TEDF invested over $800 million in road improvement projects throughout the state

Minnesota Department of Transportation

To develop a coordinated transportation network by preserving, managing, and improving the state's highway system; by promoting and supporting transit, air, rail, waterways, bicycle, and pedestrian systems; by promoting non-travel alternatives; and by promoting and supporting connections among transportation systems.

Strategic Directions:

· Safeguard what exists

· Make the network operate better

· Make Mn/DOT work better

Strategic Objectives:

· Multimodal - to increase travel options for moving people and goods

· Interregional Corridors - to ensure corridors of statewide significance link the state's regional trade centers

· Program delivery - to streamline the highway construction/ maintenance program delivery process while improving quality and cost-effectiveness

· Information - to listen to customers and respond with accurate, timely information upon which they can rely

Investment Principles:

· Focus on System Performance

· Ensure Economic Efficiency

· Support Societal Goals

· Expansion of the transportation system is warranted when the total economic benefits from reduced transportation costs to businesses and individuals exceed the total life-cycle cost of the investment. Total economic benefits of transportation investments are assured in terms of improved safety; reduction in travel times; monetary or environmental resources consumed in moving people and goods; and other increases in the productivity of transportation services/network or increases in the value of economic resources.

· Investment decision criteria, such as net present value, rate of return, and benefit-cost ratios, tempered by an evaluation of community values and social impacts, will be used to rank transportation investments and compare opportunities among modes

· Transportation investments in anticipation of speculative business growth are not recommended for state spending. Investments to support development projects that only transfer business activity within or among localities are not encouraged.

· Transportation investments necessary to maintain safety, essential connectivity, and a minimum level of access do not need to meet the investment criteria for economic return established for expansion projects.

Transportation Revolving Loan Fund:

· Represents a partnership between the

Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Tourism and Economic Development, and the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority.

· The TRLF provides below market rate loans to borrowers for transportation projects approved by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

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